I am not a wash-a-shore. 

The technical term for a wash-a-shore is someone who was not born on Cape Cod.  Though I was born off-Cape, I moved here as an infant and have been here ever since. 

Let me prove my case.  I married in Hyannis almost 18 years ago (what?!) to a wonderful man who has only been here since 1984. He definitely is a wash-a-shore. 

I live in Centerville.  I am a product of the Barnstable School System:  Centerville Elementary, Hyannis East, BMS (blue team one!) and BHS class of…well suffice to say my 25th reunion is this coming August.

My husband is a teacher in the Barnstable School System and we are raising our two daughters (14 and 11) who are also part of the school system:   Centerville Elementary, BIS and BHS.

One question posed to me before I started this column was, "What makes Lisa who she is?"

Well, lots of things.  I am the oldest of three.  As the typical oldest child, I tend to take charge of situations which drives my sister crazy.  It probably bugs my brother as well, but we don't clash over things as much as my sister and I do.  In fact, my brother and I have only had one huge argument and it was at least 15 years ago.  I believe it was over ice cream. 

My sister and I are only 20 months apart and are like night and day.  Growing up, there was a very short time in our childhood where I would wake up in the morning and tell myself not to speak to her so I wouldn't ruin my day.  Now we're best friends.  Though she lives in North Carolina and I miss her terribly, it's nice to be able to Skype and chat on a daily basis.

I learned throughout the years to pull back a little on taking charge of things - except when it comes to my daughters. My expectations have to be crystal clear with them or else.   So many things are different now than when I was younger.  There are cell phones, texting, Facebook,  and who knows what else!  

I take charge with them, and am hopefully getting my desired results.  With my 14 year-old, I try to work my "magic" so  she thinks those desired results are her ideas.  Who knows? 

I am also the daughter of a woman who battled courageously against breast cancer for 10 years.  My whole family fundraises for a cure and it is so very important to us.  Similarly, my health is important to me too and I try to take care of it as best I can.

I'm living my crazy, busy life…and loving it.  

Join me each week and maybe we'll have some things in common.  Weird, funny things tend to happen to me (ask my friend Lynn) and I'd like to share them, and my life, with you. 

Grab a cup of coffee, pull up my column every Wednesday morning and enjoy.  See you!